VETcert

[David Humphries]

The Ancient Tree Forum is a main partner in VETcert - a project aiming to develop a Europe wide accreditation scheme for those working on veteran trees.

 

The project partners are busy working on the first few work items. The training officer is currently working on the standard setting portion of the VETcert project, and needs input from a range of stakeholders in the UK.

 

Attached is a questionnaire designed to capture the information the ATF require; it contains questions on specific issues relating to veteran trees in the UK as well as questions on the minimum knowledge and skills required for those working at a practicing level (tree surgeons) and consulting level.

 

If you are able, please could you take the time to complete this questionnaire.

 

Please send completed questionnaires to [email protected] by Friday 21st April.

 

Thanks for reading

 

 

 

.

1 VETcert IO2 Questionnaire Final-1.docx

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Done it, trickier than I initially thought it might be.

 

Making some assumptions....

 

I'm guessing the aim is to try and establish qualifying criteria for potential accreditation levels. The main problem I had with that is a worry that setting experience / qualification / academic requirements could dissuade or disqualify those with an interest or passion. ATF for example, doesn't necessarily require quals but relies heavily upon volunteers that are "interested" or in the tree world (least ways thats how it seems in Cornwall.) I could see it being a shame if people were put off due to perceived ineligibility - but also recognise the benefit of having a cadre of suitably accredited operators...

[David Humphries]

Thanks Kev,

 

yes some of the Q's do get the grey matter churning.

 

I've had the similar thoughts around 'inclusion' and have passed on my concerns but I guess that's what preparation and sharing of things like this questionnaire are partly about.

 

There will be undoubtedly a significant amount of planning and consultation before the training and certification goes live.

 

 

Thanks for the feedback

 

.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

[treeseer]

1. Does your country have a recognised definition of a veteran tree? If so, please provide below (to understand variation across partner organisations).

A tree that has survived conflicts with people and their environment

2. What are the three most common places veteran trees can be found in your country?

1. Forests

2. Cemeteries

3. Parks

3. What are the three most common problems/conflicts which arise in relation to veteran trees in your country?

1. Perceived risk and defensive/inexperienced consultants.

2. Damage to tree and soil by construction activities.

3. Damage to tree by inexperienced practitioners.

Practicing Level (Tree Surgeon/ Forester /Contractor)

1. Knowledge of tree anatomy to follow specifications such as “Reduce east side with cuts <8 cm to buds or laterals growing upright or into the open, lengths 1-3m, <15% of living buds.”

2. Knowledge of climbing techniques to perform crown reduction.

3. Knowledge of root and soil conditions and ability to mitigate.

Consulting Level (Tree inspector/ Forestry inspector/ Advisor)

1. Knowledge of connections between roots and leaves and people and environment.

2. Knowledge of treatments such as pruning, soil care, wound treatment, cabling, etc.

3. Knowledge of trees’ abilities to adapt.

5. What are the three most important things someone who works on veteran trees should be able to do (skills)?

Practicing Level (Tree Surgeon/ Forester /Contractor)

1. Ability to inspect crown conditions such as forks, cavities, and associates.

2. Ability to ascend and access the crown.

3. Ability to recognise what is holding the tree up, and keeping it alive.

Consulting Level (Tree inspector/ Forester/ Advisor)

1. Ability to inspect in depth the tree flare, roots, trunk, and branches.

2. Ability to recognise what is holding the tree up, and keeping it alive.

3. Ability to establish the objective and write clear specifications.

6. Should there be any minimum conditions of entry to the accreditation scheme?

 

A) Number of years’ practical experience

Practicing Level (Tree Surgeon/ Forester /Contractor)

5-10 years

Consulting Level (Tree inspector/ Forester/ Advisor)

10+ years

 

B) Qualifications

 

Practicing Level (Tree Surgeon/Contractor)

ISA Certified Arborist, ETW are international. Certification by states such as Massachusetts.

Consulting Level (Tree inspector/ Advisor)

A combination of academic and industry qualifications such as uni courses and the ISA’s Board-Certified Master Arborist, the ETT, VETree, which are internationally recognised. (TRAQ is a US-corporate-based, defect-driven, and defensive scheme. It does not verify a substantial level of knowledge or competence compared to the above.)

[Kveldssanger]

Sent mine off Thanks, David.

[agg221]

Hi David,

 

This may lie beyond the scope of the intended activities, but given my particular interest in management of veteran fruit trees, I had a look at the survey and I must admit I am struggling to see how to answer it. Orchard relicts are often the only survivors in housing development - perhaps because they are small enough to not be seen as a problem by the developer or the homeowner. Fruit trees also, being smaller, often don't call for specialist skills simply to access them. Their management is distinct from 'natural form' trees and this was recognised by the ATF in the video they produced. The recent thread on a storm-damaged oak generated a view that, although the general approach was similar, the strategy for reduction on an oak would be significantly different to that on an apple. There is also the factor that pruning fruit trees is often regarded as a black art.

 

With this in mind, I believe fruit trees form an important part of the veteran tree population, but certification of competence in veteran trees may not automatically imply competence in their management.

 

If it is your understanding that picking up this point through completion of the survey would be useful, I am happy to give it a go!

 

Cheers

 

Alec

[Paul Melarange]

Hi David,

 

This may lie beyond the scope of the intended activities, but given my particular interest in management of veteran fruit trees, I had a look at the survey and I must admit I am struggling to see how to answer it. Orchard relicts are often the only survivors in housing development - perhaps because they are small enough to not be seen as a problem by the developer or the homeowner. Fruit trees also, being smaller, often don't call for specialist skills simply to access them. Their management is distinct from 'natural form' trees and this was recognised by the ATF in the video they produced. The recent thread on a storm-damaged oak generated a view that, although the general approach was similar, the strategy for reduction on an oak would be significantly different to that on an apple. There is also the factor that pruning fruit trees is often regarded as a black art.

 

With this in mind, I believe fruit trees form an important part of the veteran tree population, but certification of competence in veteran trees may not automatically imply competence in their management.

 

If it is your understanding that picking up this point through completion of the survey would be useful, I am happy to give it a go!

 

Cheers

 

Alec

 

Hi Alec

 

Picking up your point through completion of the survey would definitely be useful. Please do have a go at completing it.

 

Your thoughts and input are much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Paul (Co-opted member of the Ancient Tree Forum)

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Any value in us each copying our individual surveys onto the thread as Treeseer has done above David?

 

Might help (or not) get the thoughts going for more people to fill in the sheet and return and might also generate discussion which could be condensed and sent into the relevant coordinator?

[Paul Melarange]

Any value in us each copying our individual surveys onto the thread as Treeseer has done above David?

 

Might help (or not) get the thoughts going for more people to fill in the sheet and return and might also generate discussion which could be condensed and sent into the relevant coordinator?

 

I'm keen to hear David's thoughts on this.

 

From my point of view I think it would be great to stimulate some discussion.

 

It was really interesting to see Guys responses. It was particularly interesting being able to compare the most common places where veteran trees can be found in the US, with where we would expect them to be found in the UK.